What On Earth elope to Borneo

Selamat pagi from Borneo!

What On Earth has gone global...and bi-lingual. Well, sort of anyway.  I've gone on tour round a few countries.  First up is Borneo. I headed here for a taste of the Malaysian lifestyle.  I wanted to soak up the culture, lifestyle, atmosphere and, of course, the food so I hopped on a plane and 24 hours later I was here.  Amazing.  I'm based in Kuching, Sarawak, and the place is just magical, as are the people.  Kuching means cat in Malay by the way...and yes, there are lots of cat statues around the place.

In the few days I've been here I've already chatted with lots of locals, seen some of the sights and had an education in food.  Luckily I've had my Malaysian hostel owner on hand to take me out to the night markets and food stalls to explain what things are.  I wouldn't have been able to translate on my own that's for sure.  So far I have managed to try an array of different foods and Malay dishes, from wild fern and dried fish to coconut jam and durian fruit.  I've also feasted on nasi goreng (fried rice) and drank rice wine - delicious.  Some of the food items have been better than others admittedly but it's all been an excellent experience so far.

Visually the best place I have visited for food items and raw ingredients is, of course, the market.  All the food there is grown locally by farmers so is the best of the best.  The market offers a colourful selection of local delights and is a real treat for the eyes.  The nose doesn't get the best of treats at times, especially when walking by the dried fish stalls or the durian fruit - certainly not my favourite.  But when it goes near the satay stalls, mmm mmmm, now you're talking.  I took lots of photos at the market to show you all what I'm currently up to.  Here follows a colourful display of the types of food I've been trying and admiring over here in beautiful Borneo.



Smelly durian fruit - it's an acquired taste!



Dragon fruit

Dried shrimps

Well, there we have a brief photo diary of some of the food I've seen so far.  There will be more updates as the days go on so don't fear.  Lots more food is on its way.

I must go now as I am getting bitten alive by a mosquito whose seat I must've taken.  He doesn't like me being here and is showing that hatred that biting me all over. 

Tomorrow I am in the jungle with the Iban tribe.  Who knows what food I will find there...or what I will get fed anyway.  I will be sure to let you know.

Peace, love and Borneo pizza.

What On Earth

* All photos by me - Laura Collins. If copying please mention me :-)

Easter desserts for all - whether you love or loathe chocolate

We're launching some brand new desserts next month that are coming out in time for Easter and spring. Pretty good news hey?! The even better news is that both chocolate lovers and chocolate haters can rejoice because our sweet treats will suit all tastes. Yep, it's true. We're not just making chocolatey desserts to celebrate Easter, we're making a mix of different options that will also be perfect for spring. You could say there are a few strings to our bow....or you could just call us greedy. We'd like to think that we're just generous and keen to please. What's more, you don't even have to wait that long to get your mitts on these great new treats. They will launch on 8 March and will be available to buy through our friends over at Abel & Cole - http://www.abelandcole.co.uk/.

The Easter desserts will include the fruity Raspberry Trifle, which is a must for anybody avoiding chocolate, as well as the decadent Chocolate Roulade which will have chocolate fans craving more. The spring desserts are traditional favourites and are sure to be a hit with cheesecake aficionados across the country. There are the Light Blackcurrant Cheesecakes, which come in individual ramekins, and also the classic Lemon Cheesecake (530g). They sound pretty tasty don't they? Well take a look at them in all their glory too...


Raspberry Trifle



Lemon Cheesecake

Blackcurrant Cheesecake

Chocolate Roulade

Looking pretty blooming lovely aren't they?  We have our talented team based down in Somerset to thank for these beautiful looking treats.  They are a rather clever lot down there and we think they are owed a round of applause.  *claps loudly while the rest of the office turn round to see what is going on*
 
FoodBev.com thinks the desserts sound rather tasty too.  So tasty in fact that they've put photos of them on their website in the 'Innovations' section.  That's right, we're innovators.  Hurrah!  Check it out here: http://www.foodbev.com/innovations/easter-dessert-range-from-what-on-earth
 
If you want some of our desserts log on to http://www.abelandcole.co.uk/ and buy some.  It's as simple as that.
 
Peace, love and Easter pizza

What On Earth

Love on a plate

We got reading a blog by Simply Nectar earlier which was all about aphrodisiacs. It got us thinking – and we mean that in a scientific and food sense, not a rude sense. Ooh, that rhymes.  You can read the Simply Nectar blog here by the way: http://simplynectar.blogspot.com/

It seems that some of the aphrodisiac foods that Simply Nectar mentioned in their blog post appear in a lot of What On Earth products. Is that a coincidence?? Umm, yes. We don’t make our goods with aphrodisiacs in mind but hey if it’s in there we should shout about it, right? If you’ve got it flaunt it and all that.

The biggest aphrodisiacs that relate to What On Earth are vanilla, chocolate, carrot, strawberries, raspberries and pineapple. All these lustful foods are used as ingredients in our products. What a result huh? It’s like we’re feeding you love on a plate…literally. 

Here's the science part:

• Vanilla has a scent and flavour that apparently increases lust. Yes, you read it here. This is the secret ingredient we’ve all been looking for. Luckily we found it before any of you did so we did what any self respecting and intelligent person would do...we put it in a cheesecake. Tuck into our Organic New York Style Vanilla Cheesecake for an evening (or morning depending on when you eat it) full of lust

• Chocolate contains particular chemicals that effect the brain and also have a liking to caffeine. It also has a lot of antioxidants.  See, chocolate is good for you after all.  Why not tuck into our Organic Chocolate Cheesecake to make you all warm and happy
  

• Carrots not only help you see in the dark, they are also believed to be a male stimulant. They are also high in vitamins and beta-carotene, and of course are hugely phallic shaped.  Unfortunately the carrots in our Organic Carrot Cake are not still in a phallic shape but they ARE in the cake so get some down you...especially if you're a male

• Strawberries and raspberries are ideal for feeding to people because they ooze love. They are sweet, bright red and can be used as a symbol for certain parts of the body. Oooh errr! You can feast on strawberries and raspberries because we sell Organic Strawberry Pouches and Organic Raspberry Pouches

• Pineapple is rich in vitamin C and is apparently used in homeopathic treatment for impotence. Well guys, maybe it's about time you ate some more pineapple huh? It's a good job we also sell Organic Pineapple Pouches isn't it?!

So, what are you waiting for?  It's time to get your hands on our products so you can get some natural love in your system.*

*Disclaimer: We are not claiming that our food will definitely increase your love interests or your ability to give good loving.

Peace, love and aphrodisiac pizza.

What On Earth

Who says romance is dead? Grab a slice of love this Valentine's Day

So, you've just realised that Valentine's Day is next week and despite all the hints from your loved one about that big lavish meal, you still haven't made any preparations.  All the restaurants are booked and those "romantic" meals for two have sold out.  Tut tut.  Shame on you.  But don't fret - we're here to help.  In fact, we're here to tell all you last minute Lotharios to stop panicking.  You don't need to go out and spend hundreds of pounds to prove you love your partner.  Oh no.  You can stay in and reach for that trusty frozen pizza and even polish it off with some cheesecake...all organic of course.

Fair enough, it may not be the most romantically inspired meal going but we believe that a hearty dinner of organic pizza and cheesecake can still cause fireworks on 14 February – if paired with the right wine that is.  When matched properly the food and wine accentuate the full flavours of one another thus creating a perfect partnership, which could then reflect upon the couple enjoying the meal causing love to blossom all around.  You'll feel it in your fingers and you'll feel it in your toes...the love that is, not the food or wine.

We've paired up with Vintage Roots, the organic wine specialists, to devise the following unbeatable combinations of food and wine that are sure to set sparks of love flying this Valentine's Day.

Food: What On Earth Organic Pizza Basilico
Topping: Mozzarella, fresh tomato, fresh basil
Wine pairing tip: Opt for a red wine with jammy fruits such as cherries and plums. Italian white wine with pear and apricot aromas would also work well
Suggestion: Try this organic Barbera produced in the Gavi region of Italy
http://www.vintageroots.co.uk/DOCG-Barbera-La-Raia-

Food: What On Earth Organic Pizza di Pepe
Topping: Pepperoni, Mozzarella and black pepper
Wine pairing tip: Go for a fruity, ripe red with clean black and red fruits flavours.
Suggestion: This organic Californian Zinfandel is a great match
 http://www.vintageroots.co.uk/Barra-Estate-Mendocino-Zinfandel

Food: What On Earth Lemon Curd Cheesecake (award winner)
Wine pairing tip: Choose a rich sparkling wine or champagne that has honey notes to accentuate the zesty flavours of the cheesecake
Suggestion: Try this rich biodynamic Champagne for an intensity of flavour that goes on and on. ttp://www.vintageroots.co.uk/AOC-Champagne-Jean-Pierre-Fleury

Food: What On Earth New York Style Vanilla Cheesecake
Wine pairing tip: Pick a lightlyt sparkling wine with aromas of pear and lemon
Suggestion: This softly fizzy organic Prosecco with light green fruits and is also uplifting with lively lemon sherbet acidity that helps cuts through the soft cheese.
http://www.vintageroots.co.uk/Montalbano-Prosecco-Vino-Frizzante

See, it's as simple as that.  You can keep love alive over wine, pizza and cheesecake.  There is absolutely no need for oysters, truffles and caviar.  Having said this, although we can help out with the food and wine the rest is up to you.  We can't control the words that come out of your mouth or the other romantic gestures you may make.  Just use your common sense and hopefully all will work out fine.  Love will blossom in an instant.
 
Peace, love and romantic Valentine's pizza.
 
What On Earth

Who you calling chicken? We're having a clucking good time!

Meet Charlotte, Henrietta and Rosemary.  Nope they're not new employees, they are in fact the What On Earth chickens.  Well, they actually belong to our logistics manager Matt but we're claiming them as our own because they are so cute. 

On Sunday they saw snow for the first time, which meant they had their first experience walking through it.  They were rather uncertain at first but after a few seconds they were used to it and were walking on the snow and ice like pros.  They may not have had the elegance of an ice dancer but they certainly tried their best, and for that we are proud.

Here is a picture of the girls traipsing across the snow in all their glory.  Charlotte is at the front followed by Henrietta and then Rosemary.  Apparently Henrietta has slightly larger thighs than the other two!



Now, if that has tickled your fancy and got you all broody (over chicken of cousre!) why not check out the video.  You can see here first hand what the girls were like when they first let their feet go on the cold snow.

Peace, love and pizza.

What On Earth (and Charlotte, Henrietta and Rosemary).

An ode to the carrot on National Carrot Day

Today is 3 February. It is also a Friday and it is sunny, plus it is my uncle’s birthday.  Happy birthday Uncle Rog!  But despite these observations today is something quite special for another reason. Oh yes it is.

I imagine that when you looked out the window this morning you were thinking about the day ahead, not actually about what today means and the exciting things it could bring.  Luckily I was thinking about what it could bring so I am now bringing those things to you because today, my friends, we are going to be celebrating that bright orange vegetable, THE CARROT.  That’s right.  Today we are dedicating everything to the carrot.  Why?  Because it’s National Carrot Day of course.

Yes, NATIONAL CARROT DAY, you did hear (or read!) correctly.

Don’t look down on this day as commercial rubbish.  It is a fully blown day which has a fully blown National Anthem and everything.  Check it out:

As we love carrots we’ve decided to pay respect to National Carrot Day by turning orange.  Here is our new updated logo, for one day only.  Do you love it or what??

Also in respect of National Carrot Day we’d like to give you some carrot based facts:

• Carrots are a root vegetable that originated in Afghanistan. They were purple, red, white, and yellow, but never orange
• A 2005 poll revealed that carrots are the third most popular vegetable in Britain (Brussels Sprouts are the least popular) 
• Carrots are about 87% water
• Eating too many carrots can cause a person's skin to turn yellowish orange, especially on the palms or soles of the feet. This is called carotenemia. It is completely reversible once the consumption of carrots is reduced 
• The longest carrot ever recorded was nearly 17 feet long
• The largest carrot ever recorded weighed 18.985 pounds

Unforunately we didn't pluck these facts out of thin air.  We hit Google instead and retreived these fabulous facts from http://www.healthdiaries.com/

Finally, we’d like to leave you with a picture of our carrot cake.  Why?  well, because it’s DELICIOUS of course.  And obviously because it relates to National Carrot Day...it is made of carrots after all.

Peace, love and carrot pizza.

What On Earth

Worldwide celebrations right on our doorstep

When I woke up on Monday morning with no electricity, heating or hot water I thought it was a sign for the rest of the week ahead. I had a very bad feeling that if the week started on a bad foot it was only going to get worse. It turns out I was wrong. Why? Because when I realised the date I knew I was in for a week of treats.

23 January 2012 marked the start of Chinese New Year and this year they are celebrating the year of the Dragon. The next few weeks will be packed with endless celebrations full of colour, fun and amazing food. I may not be Chinese but I love to join in the celebrations and embrace the country and its cultures/traditions. What’s more, I also love the food, conveniently, so I will make sure I eat a lot of it this week.



Courtesy of Kittikun Atsawintarangkul / freedigitalphotos.net



Two days later, i.e. today, it’s Burns Night. Yep, 25 January sees Scottish people around the globe celebrating the birthday of famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns.  All number of Burns suppers take place on this popular day, which may be both formal and informal. Typically they include haggis, Scotch whisky (hurrah!) and the recitation of Burns’ poetry.

If that isn’t enough, 26 January marks Australia Day. Yet more reason to celebrate culture, tradition and of course food, hooray! Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. 26 January commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, thus marking British colonisation.

Courtesy of Laura Collins

With all these dates in the diary I thought it only right that this post embraces all three countries mentioned above and all the delicious food that comes out of them. I have therefore put together a list of some of the most loved, traditional celebratory dishes from China, Scotland and Australia in a hope that it may inspire you to tuck in and join the party.

Typical dishes eaten during Chinese New Year

Buddha’s Delight – a lavish vegetarian dish made with a wide variety of ingredients, including arrowhead, bamboo, bean curd, black mushrooms, carrot, noodles, daylily buds, fat choy, Ginkgo nuts, Lotus seeds, Napa cabbage, Peanuts, Snow peas, tofu, water chestnuts, wheat gluten and wood ear.

Sweet and Sour Pork – This dish is popular with families hoping for a lot of grandchildren, as the Cantonese word for "sour" sounds like the word for grandchild.

Yusheng – This raw fish salad is said to bring good luck. This dish is usually eaten on the seventh day of the New Year, but may also be eaten throughout the period.

Courtesy of SundayMorning / freedigitalphotos.net

Jiaozi – Crescent-shaped Jiaozi are a symbol of wealth and prosperity because of their resemblance to ancient Chinese money.  They are eaten at midnight on New Year's Eve.

Niangao (Year cake or Chinese New Year's cake) – A cake prepared from glutinous rice. It is considered good luck to eat Niángāo during New Year because "nian gao" is a homonym for "higher year." The sticky sweet snack was believed to be an offering to the Kitchen God, with the aim that his mouth will be stuck with the cake so he can't badmouth the giver's family to the God of all Gods.

Typical dishes eaten on Burns Night

Scotch Broth – A thick soup made with carrots, turnips, onions, celery, leek, pearl barley, lamb, peas and kale.

Arbroath smokies – Smoked haddock from the town of Arbroath.Haggis, neeps and tatties – put simply it’s sheep or calf's offal, swede and potatoes

Courtesy of FreeFoto.com

Cranachan – This traditional Scottish pudding is made with whipped cream, whisky, honey, and fresh fruit.

Shortbread and oatcakes –  Quite self explanatory really!

Typical dishes eaten on Australia Day

Aussie pies – Pies filled with meat and potato which are a favourite with Australians the world over

Barbecue prawns – Any variety of prawns go down well on Australia Day, whether they be plain, cooked in garlic or covered in piri piri sauce.  "Slip another shrimp on the barbie."

Courtesy of Sura Nualpradid / freedigitalphotos.net

Beer battered fish and chips – A delicious meal perfect for a lazy afternoon

Anzac Biscuits – A popular biscuit made with oats, desiccated coconut, lemon rind and golden syrup.

Lamingtons – These are a quintessential part of every Australian's childhood. The little sponge cake is dipped in chocolate icing and then rolled in desiccated coconut.
YUM!

So there we have it...a long list of food for a long week of celebrations.  Enjoy, I know I will.

Peace, love and celebratory pizza.

What On Earth